Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-25
CHICO AND VICINITY.
One of the Grandest Portions of the State,
and Brighter Outlook.


CHICO, April 49, 1887
EDS. RECORD UNION: The region around
Chico has long been known as one of the
richest and most fertile of the Pacific coast.
say one of the most fertile, as there is no
one spot that cxcels all others. There are
so many garden spots on this coast, which
are so rich, that there is no choice among
them. OF these choice spots, such as the
Santa Clara, Mokelumne, Napa, Vaca,
Livermore, and Pleasant valleys, and the
region around Haywards and Woodland,
l should place the Chico district in the
front rank. The soil is dark, deep sandy
loan and there is always rain enough to
give crop every year. 1t is the boast of
the people here that they never have crop
failure, and that is great point in its
favor.
One thing is sure, and that is all the
farmers here are rich and live in fine
houses, filled with all the comforts and
luxuries found in cities. They own fine
horses and carriages, and find time to enjoy
them. The crop prospects for hay grain,
fruits and vegetables are good. l cannot
say that the crop record is to be broken,
for don't think it is. Much of the grain
| of the Sacramento plains is thin, but the
| weather is now very favorable and if it
continues so there will be an average yield
and no more.
| 1t is the impression that the fruit crop
| will be unprecedentedly large-which is
| too sanguine, think. There will be full
average crop in quantity, and if nothing
| unfavorable occurs, the quality will be
above the average.
The present price of wheat-$1 so per
cental-makes the farmers glad, and some
| of them are contracting at that figure.
while others, as usual, want more, Much
of the land around Chico is held in large
bodies, and heretofore no one wanted to
| sell, but now the figures have advanced so
| that the average yield and price of wheat
fails to net good interest upon it. That the
| land is too valuable for wheat farming has
become a conviction, and hence there is
| now plenty of land for sale. Land buyers
| should not overlook this part of Butte
| county. The prospects of the city of Chico
have materially improved by the location
of the Normal School, which will bring
| many families here in order to educate
| their children. In fact there is no doubt
| that this place will be one of the educa-
| tional centers of the State. The Governors
appointment OF Trustees of the Normal
School gives universal satisfaction here
| where they are best known. Everybody
soy . tiiS'S VIII NC lO Jus III Tue con-
struction of the buildings.
There is much enthusiasm in connection
with the flower show now in progress. 1t
| is perfect success, and is a great credit to
the taste and public spirit of the citizens of
Chico. The attendance is large and the re-
ceipts satisfactory.
Steps are being taken to build a first class
hotel, which is very much needed. There
are several creditable hotels here at pres.
| ent, but now that Chico is to enter the race
| for growth in wealth, population and bust
| ness, larger and finer hotel buildings will
be necessity. Other things are also
| needed to insure these desired results.
| The great land holdings should be divided
up and sold in twenty and forty acre lots
to actual settlers. To do this a company
of capitalists should be formed, the land
bought; avenues laid out, trees planted,
buildings put up and then printers ink
should be used unsparingly. The re-
suit would be another Pasadena or River
side, and the projectors would reap rich
harvest. There is an abundance of capital
and there seems to be any amount of en-
ergy and enterprise Just awakening. One
successful settlement of that kind would
result in many Others and Chico would
assume an importance unthought of now.
l shall have something TO say of the trade
and manufactures of Chico and of the ia
nous Rancho Chico in my next iottings.